Mirror's Edge producer on first person view for Mirror's Edge: We want you to be connected to Faith

Posted Nov 7, 2008 at 10:47PM by Mabie A. Listed in: PS3, Xbox 360 Tags: Nick Channon
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Mirror's Edge in third person - Image 1Despite the many good press releases on EA DICE's Mirror's Edge (PS3 and Xbox 360, PC) there are still some people who are not sold on the idea of it being made from a first person perspective.

Nick Channon, producer of the unique action title, responds to this issue in an interview, as well as talk about other components of the game and its development such as storyline, controls, color design, and mimicking life.

On the issue of using the first person perspective, he says that what motivated them to do it wsa that they've done a lot of first person work. Given their vast experience in the genre, they then wanted to expand it into something more, develop something more urban, something that was all about movement.

I think we wanted to make something that's different. You make, actually, more connection when you're controlling them in that first person, we feel.


We think it's really cool, the way you get glimpses of Faith in the game world: You see her in reflections, you see her in shadow, and I think that gives a really nice feel to the game. Obviously, in the storytelling we do, you see Faith, but we actually show her in a different way, so it's 2D, more cartoon animation.


Speaking of connection with the character, doesn't using the first person perspective dilute that connection? Especially for a game that involves that much movement - jumping off rooftops, swinging from ladders, skidding down stairs - wouldn't it have been better if the gamers actually see what Faith is doing?

Channon says believes it's just a matter of the gamers getting used to seeing action games in third person. But that's exactly what they wanted to separate themselves from.

... [T]he fact that you're playing through the eyes of Faith; as soon as you get to third person, you would be watching Faith, whereas we want you to be connected to her.


The analogy we give is 'being in an action movie, instead of playing it,' and I think that's more rewarding. And I think, also, we wanted to create something very fresh, and it's been a challenge, but we're really pleased with where we are.


For more of what Nick Channon had to say about the game, feel free to read the whole transcript of the interview via the source link below.



Related Mirror's Edge Articles:

Buy: [Mirror's Edge (PS3). (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Mirror's Edge (PC)]

Via Gamasutra

 
 
 

Comments [refresh]

by scott1234 - 2008-11-07 19:14
» WTF!?!?!?!

the more connectivity you feel for you and your character is astonishing in this here game. when you combine the likes of uniqueness and characterness, and the immersion of connectivity, you get one amazing gaming package for the cheap admission ticket of 59.99 US doller.

by cizzar - 2008-11-07 19:34
» Ok, but

I still think this game sucks and I won't buy nor rent it ...

by teh not so 1337 g@m3r - 2008-11-07 23:24
» you're going to be all alone

Game is freaking wicked. Props to EA/Dice.

by Devil Outlaw - 2008-11-08 00:36
» Hmmm.....

Lol.....why do you hate it Cizzar?

by C0ns0Lo - 2008-11-08 01:32
» GREAT Game!

Yesterday I've downloaded the demo, played an hour and have to say, that it's much better than expected. I'll definitely get my disc next week!

by cizzar - 2008-11-08 03:06
» Don't know but :

- no multiplayer (not sure about that)

- it's from EA

- it's just running and jumping, running again etc ...

It just doesn't appeal to me and I don't think that this is a gameyou can play for longer than 2 days

by C0ns0Lo - 2008-11-08 05:29
» ...

Then you should get Viva Pinata and build a garden *lol

by skidz - 2008-11-08 07:59
» yea

I would feel connected to that relentlessly ugly character. She is in my nightmares.

by roddollente - 2008-11-08 11:28
» buuuuuu...

EA is the publisher. DICE MADE the game.

by SolidXnake - 2008-11-08 12:09
» how much...

How much jumping and climbing can you do and for how long? That's the question - Feel like the character - sorry but you feel like that even when you are playing as third person. I dont think i will be getting this game - first person where your view is limited is not for me - They should've just add that view feature so to cover everyone - FP and TP views.



As for what I hear and see I'll give this game a c+. :)

by papajag - 2008-11-08 16:28
» foo

All I can say after I played the demo was WWWWOOOOWWW!!!!!!.....This game is actually good. The visual is amazing and the controls are easy specially with Sixaxis. Im gonna suggest you try the demo because I too hated the game before I tried it and it was amazing. Remember EA didn't make the game and just published it. From the demo I would give this a 9.6/10. It looses points only because I'm used to jumping with X and shooting with R1.

by papajag - 2008-11-08 16:33
» ...

when ur running away from enemies the third person makes it feel like you're in the game. I believe that Dice was right about having it in first person.

by cizzar - 2008-11-08 23:34
» I know EA is the publisher

but by buying this game I would support EA and their Securom trojan which can cause PCs to crash. For example you can only install the new C&C 5 times and uninstallations don't count !

by zzk2001 - 2008-11-09 04:47
» He's not alone

I played the Demo and i can't see How it got a 10/10 when the game is just Boring.



I think it's more of a Over Seas Type game, You know all them Guys who Jump over crap and Stuff LOL But really i don't see the fun in that.

by Devil Outlaw - 2008-11-09 07:39
» Hmmm.....

It got a 10/10....i thought it was 9/10 O.o

by Esaar - 2008-11-09 07:46
» I agree

I agree with SolidXnake. I personally abhor first person view and will be staying far away from this game (and many others like me). Argue all you want but the fact is that many people like me will not be getting this game for this very reason.



Pity. Because I absolutely love platforming and fast paced combat like Mirror's Edge has. If they had included a Third Person view with the option of going into first person if you so choose...I would be sold on the spot.

by anhero - 2008-11-09 11:55
» I played the demo...

and it was really amazing and astonishing, can't beleive theres gonna be a great exclusive title for the ps3 (aside of MGS4 of course). I dont like my ps3 much and was thinkin of selling it to a friend to buy the 360 or the Pandora but this game is making me reconsider. I'm gonna buy this game when it comes out on Nov. 13 just when the Gamestop opens becuz what I saw in this ame was pure fun. I wouldn't be surprised if this game actually gets a 10/10 in most review sites.

by hairycanary2 - 2008-11-09 12:30
» You can....

try not judging a game for the feelings you have towards a game that is made for a PC. For various reason EA dissapointed me allot of times aswell , but this game deserves no less than an 8/10 .

by Uplink - 2008-11-09 16:55
» For all you 1rst person whiners

They didnt want to make another platformer like uncharted or any other boring run of the mill game. I Love the idea of 1rst person action platformers. Most people that dont like this game are 1)FPS junkies/lamers with no creativity 2)Sports junkies/lamers with no creativity 3)Just plain lamers with no creativity.



I Like to see something new and creative every once in a while and with all these boring fps and rts remakes blah blah blah this is refreshing to me.



Finaly a few good new titles to play with something diff.

by papajag - 2008-11-09 17:52
» ^ umm

It's not exclusive nor will any EA games because they love money and XBox is only worth you're money if you have it modded to play burned games. Otherwise there are equal amount of great games for both system.

by Stealth! - 2008-11-09 22:28
» Im sure...

This game to some be freaking awesome. Personally Im not font of FPV unless its for FPS's or something. If they had the option for TPV I'd like the game ever more. Im sure the game is great, but personal taste for me is TPV seems alot better for me to play for.



This game will easily be a rent to try, if nothing else buy it when its cheaper. At the moment there's alot of great looking titles that tickle my fancy and since the FPV is the only thing thats making this decision for me difficult, im just going to wait on it.



Enjoy the game guys if you're going to buy it. *thumbs up*

by Esaar - 2008-11-09 22:37
» lol

It's still a platformer. The only thing FPV changed was put off people like me from buying it.

by SolidXnake - 2008-11-10 01:28
» whiners?

I dont think is whining. Im sure the game is great. But because you like cream filled donuts doesnt mean we all like cream filled donuts - (I like cream filled donuts by the way) - It's just that they target a part of the market by leaving some optional features that would've improve their sales and cover everyone.

by Azsura - 2008-11-12 18:51
» The game was cool

I enjoyed the demo, and I thought the new first person view on something with that much action, was indeed entertaining. I think what bothers a lot of people is adaptation, they're so use to tps type games, it tears them apart to try something different. They're use to it, and taking them from that and throwing them into a a game like this, might make some feel vulnerable.



I'm not trying to offend, but it seems some are just uncomfortable and have no 'faith' lol.

by VeYRoN92 - 2008-11-19 03:04
» Very good game -I loved it

I finished the game and i think it easily goes for 9/10.

The story seemed short ...but the action in it, is very intense...It took me 2 days to finish it ..but after u finish it ,u can improve your time and do new stuff wich actualy seemed more fun better than the single player....there is also online ranking and also u can download any players ghosts and folow their route....this sounds boring ...and i thought i would be boring as well...but i was actualy surprized

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